Setup Hardhat

Hardhat is a development environment for Ethereum software. It helps developers compile, deploy, test, and debug their Ethereum applications. This guide will help you set up Hardhat for developing on SKALE.

Prerequisites

Node.js (v16 or higher) installed
npm or yarn package manager
Basic knowledge of JavaScript/TypeScript

Step 1: Create a New Project

Create a new directory and initialize a Node.js project:

mkdir my-skale-project
cd my-skale-project
npm init -y

Step 2: Install Hardhat

Install Hardhat and its dependencies:

npm install --save-dev hardhat @nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox

The @nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox package includes all commonly used plugins and tools for Hardhat development.

Step 3: Initialize Hardhat

Initialize a Hardhat project:

npx hardhat init

Select “Create a JavaScript project” (or TypeScript if preferred) and follow the prompts.

Step 4: Configure Hardhat for SKALE

Update your hardhat.config.js (or hardhat.config.ts) file:

require("@nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox");

/** @type import('hardhat/config').HardhatUserConfig */
module.exports = {
  solidity: {
    version: "0.8.19",
    settings: {
      optimizer: {
        enabled: true,
        runs: 200,
      },
    },
  },
  networks: {
    skale_testnet: {
      url: "https://base-sepolia-testnet.skalenodes.com/v1/jubilant-horrible-ancha",
      accounts: process.env.PRIVATE_KEY ? [process.env.PRIVATE_KEY] : [],
      chainId: 324705682,
    },
    skale_mainnet: {
      url: "https://skale-base.skalenodes.com/v1/base",
      accounts: process.env.PRIVATE_KEY ? [process.env.PRIVATE_KEY] : [],
      chainId: 1187947933,
    },
  },
  etherscan: {
    apiKey: {
      skale_testnet: "your-api-key", // Not required for Blockscout
    },
    customChains: [
      {
        network: "skale_testnet",
        chainId: 324705682,
        urls: {
          apiURL: "https://base-sepolia-testnet-explorer.skalenodes.com/api",
          browserURL: "https://base-sepolia-testnet-explorer.skalenodes.com",
        },
      },
      {
        network: "skale_mainnet",
        chainId: 1187947933,
        urls: {
          apiURL: "https://skale-base-explorer.skalenodes.com/api",
          browserURL: "https://skale-base-explorer.skalenodes.com",
        },
        },
      },
    ],
  },
};

Replace the RPC URLs with your specific SKALE Chain endpoint. You can find SKALE Chain endpoints in the SKALE Portal.

Step 5: Install OpenZeppelin Contracts

Install OpenZeppelin Contracts:

npm install @openzeppelin/contracts

Step 6: Create Environment File

Create a .env file in your project root:

PRIVATE_KEY=your-private-key-here

Never commit your .env file to version control. Add it to your .gitignore file.

Install dotenv package:

npm install dotenv

Update your hardhat.config.js to load environment variables:

require("@nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox");
require("dotenv").config();

// ... rest of config

Step 7: Create a Deployment Script

Create a deployment script in scripts/deploy.js. Run:

touch scripts/deploy.js

Add the deployment code:

const hre = require("hardhat");

async function main() {
  const MyContract = await hre.ethers.getContractFactory("MyContract");
  const myContract = await MyContract.deploy();

  await myContract.waitForDeployment();

  console.log("Contract deployed to:", await myContract.getAddress());
}

main()
  .then(() => process.exit(0))
  .catch((error) => {
    console.error(error);
    process.exit(1);
  });

Step 8: Compile Contracts

Compile your contracts:

npx hardhat compile

Step 9: Run Tests

Run your tests:

npx hardhat test

SKALE-Specific Considerations

When deploying to SKALE with Hardhat:

Transaction Type: Hardhat automatically handles transaction types, but ensure your Hardhat version supports legacy transactions if needed

Gas Configuration: SKALE has zero gas fees, but you still need sFUEL for transactions:

networks: {
  skale_testnet: {
    url: "...",
    accounts: [...],
    gasPrice: 0, // SKALE has zero gas fees
  },
},

Contract Verification: Verify contracts using Hardhat’s verify plugin:

npx hardhat verify --network skale_testnet <CONTRACT_ADDRESS> <CONSTRUCTOR_ARGS>

Project Structure

Your Hardhat project should look like this:

my-skale-project/
├── contracts/     # Smart contracts
├── scripts/       # Deployment scripts
├── test/          # Test files
├── hardhat.config.js
├── .env
└── package.json

Deployment

Smart Contracts

Privacy

x402

MPP

Facilitators

AI Agents

Native Features

Setup Hardhat

Setup Hardhat

Prerequisites

Step 1: Create a New Project

Step 2: Install Hardhat

Step 3: Initialize Hardhat

Step 4: Configure Hardhat for SKALE

Step 5: Install OpenZeppelin Contracts

Step 6: Create Environment File

Step 7: Create a Deployment Script

Step 8: Compile Contracts

Step 9: Run Tests

SKALE-Specific Considerations

Project Structure

​Setup Hardhat

​Prerequisites

​Step 1: Create a New Project

​Step 2: Install Hardhat

​Step 3: Initialize Hardhat

​Step 4: Configure Hardhat for SKALE

​Step 5: Install OpenZeppelin Contracts

​Step 6: Create Environment File

​Step 7: Create a Deployment Script

​Step 8: Compile Contracts

​Step 9: Run Tests

​SKALE-Specific Considerations

​Project Structure

​Related Topics

Setup Hardhat

Prerequisites

Step 1: Create a New Project

Step 2: Install Hardhat

Step 3: Initialize Hardhat

Step 4: Configure Hardhat for SKALE

Step 5: Install OpenZeppelin Contracts

Step 6: Create Environment File

Step 7: Create a Deployment Script

Step 8: Compile Contracts

Step 9: Run Tests

SKALE-Specific Considerations

Project Structure

Related Topics